Could Be Curtains For A-Rod

Yankees fans everywhere are probably rejoicing today.  According to sources close to the New York Daily News, there is the possibility that Alex Rodriguez has played his last game in a Yankee uniform.  There’s a long road to travel for this to happen but the possibility does exist.

It all stems from two things: A-Rod’s probable long recovery from a second hip surgery in less than four years and his alleged involvement with a so-called anti-aging clinic in which the director of the clinic, Anthony Bosch, has been tied to performance enhancing drugs with up to 20 professional athletes- most of them baseball players.

Oct 14, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reacts after striking out in the 2nd inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of the 2012 ALCS at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

It remains to be seen how the Yankees and A-Rod will handle the future of their relationship.  Money plays a big part in it. It’s doubtful the team will be willing to eat the remaining five years and $114 million on the contract so agreements, if any, will have to be worked out for a parting to happen.

The flip side of all this trouble around A-Rod right now is that the team and its fans have a chance, however remote, to be rid of him forever and that has to make both parties ecstatic.

Say what you want, but there has been a constant love-hate relationship between the fans and A-Rod ever since he first pulled on the Yankee jersey back in 2004.

Some never wanted him there in the first place.  Others looked at his act when he got to New York and quickly soured on him.  Most of that has to do with negative comments A-Rod directed toward Derek Jeter years ago in an Esquire magazine article.  For them, that was enough to forever hate the intruder from Texas.

If he doesn’t play this year and has played his final game in pinstripes, it is likely Kevin Youkilis will play a big part in the scenario.  He’s only signed with New York for one year but if A-Rod stays away and Youkilis produces well, you know the Yankees will likely want to keep him at third base.  Certainly, that is an idea that makes the stomachs of Red Sox fans everywhere turn.

September 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (20) before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox fans have always wondered how they’d feel about Youk if he didn’t play for their team.  Well, now they’re about to find out with him playing on the team’s most hated rival, possibly long term, if indeed it’s over for A-Rod in New York.  It should make for an interesting summer at Fenway and beyond.

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